You crazy layering fiends!

You wild and crazy layering ladies have had your way with me...
I am now, at this moment, layering Lolita Lempicka with splashes, mind you, splashes of Bulgari Black! I feel so FREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Dark and smudgy, but sweet and snuggly at the same time

After a day of layering Arabie with mere dabs of Narcisse Noir, interestingly, the Arabie drydown won out as the day progressed, but that beginning with the NN...that was WILD! WHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!
High pitched spice with flowers strewn beneath one's feet on cobblestones, releasing their notes as one steps over them, offering their perfume for your pleasure.... ahhh....

I see new worlds opening!

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

"Hey, Moondeva, we've got company--another free soul!"

Ah, rtamara41, isn't scentschizophrenia amazing? I can imagine Bulgari Black would dovetail into others scents, yes. Some of my "hybrids" have a couple notes in common, but sometimes two frags simply extend an arc of scent with hardly any note(s) overlap. You just never know until you put different frags on different wrists and orbit your fists around each other like a cheerleader or boxer.

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Originally Posted by Quarry

"Hey, Moondeva, we've got company--another free soul!"

Ah, rtamara41, isn't scentschizophrenia amazing? I can imagine Bulgari Black would dovetail into others scents, yes. Some of my "hybrids" have a couple notes in common, but sometimes two frags simply extend an arc of scent with hardly any note(s) overlap. You just never know until you put different frags on different wrists and orbit your fists around each other like a cheerleader or boxer.

Many welcoming hugs to you, sweet stuff.

Thank you for clueing me in on this specialized technique for checking layering potential... I feel that I have been initiated somehow .

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

I have Flowerbomb and CB I HATE MUSK sort of overlapping here this evening. Surprisingly (big surprise), Flowerscud has whomped that CB Musk right in the horse's tail, and the two are not incongruent in the drydowns.

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

I have now named my new layering experiment, Lolita Noir... Lolita Lempicka and Bulgari Black... She is a total swoon at work, and everyone is loving her...
Long Live Lolita Noir!!! I am wearing this combo again tonight. The real test was when two of my coworkers who humour me by sniffing my sotd religiously agreed on this one. They usually have tastes at different ends of the spectrum. Lolita Noir is a real pleaser.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

coumarin, I looked at your wardrobe to see if I had any inspirations , I haven't tested many of the ones you have, but I did have a good run with Chanel no.19's green crispy elegance when I layered it with Hanae Mori Butterfly, which is a sweet vanilla gourmandy smell, like buttered raisin toast.
They seemed to anchor one another, whereas my Lolita and Black mix seem to sing along the same accord together, one a bit lighter and softer, the other deeper with more longevity.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Originally Posted by Quarry

You mean the name Lempgariwasn't lyrical enough?

hee hee hee, Lolita Lempgari Noir, mais oui!!!

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Yay! Welcome to the dark side rtamara41 - your view of perfumes will never be the same again!

I am luxuriating in another winning combination right now as I type: Guerlain Vetiver + Dior Homme.This is wonderful - bright, complex iris and vetiver, fresh with a subtle darkness (tobacco, leather) that stops the blend from being too clean, soapy, or powdery. This combo will be great in warmer spring and summer weather - especially if I use Guerlain Vetiver Eau Glacee on warmer days.

By the way your combo of Lolita Noir (Bulgari Black + Lolita Lempicka) is positively 'inspired'! I will have to try it soon. How about Bulgari Black + Caron Aimez-Moi as an alternative combo? I think you will be pleasantly surprised...

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

I have just realised that two of my oldest favourites (Carven Ma Griffe and Lanvin Arpege) have significant vetiver accords. This has me excited to try them in combos with other vetiver and iris rich blends. What do you think of the following:

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Originally Posted by rtamara41

hee hee hee, Lolita Lempgari Noir, mais oui!!!

so, rtamara41, this thread was a few days ago, and i've been thinking and thinking and thinking about trying your smudgy experiment...and finally i did! faeries in the tire yard! mechanics in fairyland! but really, it's grease....the pink ladies meet the t-birds. tough and pretty and cool. nice job!

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Originally Posted by quinpus

so, rtamara41, this thread was a few days ago, and i've been thinking and thinking and thinking about trying your smudgy experiment...and finally i did! faeries in the tire yard! mechanics in fairyland! but really, it's grease....the pink ladies meet the t-birds. tough and pretty and cool. nice job!

fairies in the tire yard and mechanics in fairyland! what great descriptions! lol!
I never would have tried this if djuna hadn't sent me the decant of Bulgari Black with my Lolita swap. Inspired choice on her part.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Here are my latest experiments in layering:

Tabac Blond with Narciso Rodriguez for Her...these I did not layer on top of one another, rather used both in different locations , the Tabac on my wrists and forearms, with the softer NR for her on my belly and sternum... crushed rose petals with leather...mmmmm....

Today I am trying Patchouli Patch with Feminite du Bois spritzed directly on top...this is NICE, VERY NICE, I think I am smelling saffron, or something spicy, must be in the FduB

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

When I was at Barney's in Beverly Hills, the sweet and charming sales associate (I think her name was CJ?) mixed me a sample of her "creation"...Sa Majesté la Rose and Un Bois Vanille.

FABULOUS, rich, and sumptuous. God, I love it, and I usually hate rose and vanilla! Smelling Lutens' Rose is like burying your face in a huge, fresh bouquet of crisp white roses that someone you love has just handed to you. The vanille adds a sexy depth and warmth to it that is just delightful.

CJ, you're an angel to mix me such a delicious sample! One of my new favorites.

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

When I was at Barney's in Beverly Hills, the sweet and charming sales associate (I think her name was CJ?) mixed me a sample of her "creation"...Sa Majesté la Rose and Un Bois Vanille.

FABULOUS, rich, and sumptuous. God, I love it, and I usually hate rose and vanilla! Smelling Lutens' Rose is like burying your face in a huge, fresh bouquet of crisp white roses that someone you love has just handed to you. The vanille adds a sexy depth and warmth to it that is just delightful.

CJ, you're an angel to mix me such a delicious sample! One of my new favorites.

oh god, I think I should just get it over with and go through every one of Serge's creations methodically...why waste my time in other houses when he thrills me so... this description is very seductive, linnea.
my day has become triple layered...patchouli patch + feminite du bois + serge lutens fleurs d'oranger...as each one faded I refreshed it with the next, like a winding path, with each scent following the next... there was a real or imagined saffron in that fem du bois and it led me right to the fleurs d'oranger.
A scented life is a good life.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Originally Posted by rtamara41

oh god, I think I should just get it over with and go through every one of Serge's creations methodically...why waste my time in other houses when he thrills me so... this description is very seductive, linnea.
my day has become triple layered...patchouli patch + feminite du bois + serge lutens fleurs d'oranger...as each one faded I refreshed it with the next, like a winding path, with each scent following the next... there was a real or imagined saffron in that fem du bois and it led me right to the fleurs d'oranger.
A scented life is a good life.

Like I said, I initially steered clear of the Rose and Vanille, thinking that I would hate them. And then that darn lovely woman mixed me a sample that I cannot stop thinking about! AUGH!

I just know that I'm going to end up with at least one bottle of every Serge Lutens creation. That's going to cost a lot of money. Well...I guess I could "rationalize" this new hobby/obsession and and theorise that at least it's not bad for me like other vices could be.

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Like I said, I initially steered clear of the Rose and Vanille, thinking that I would hate them. And then that darn lovely woman mixed me a sample that I cannot stop thinking about! AUGH!

I just know that I'm going to end up with at least one bottle of every Serge Lutens creation. That's going to cost a lot of money. Well...I guess I could "rationalize" this new hobby/obsession and and theorise that at least it's not bad for me like other vices could be.

yes, for me too, it is just a matter of time, I am afraid....
the Vanille you mention, is that also a Serge Lutens? I didn't see it on the basenotes directory...

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Discovered a new layering combo that transports one to a woody church of flowers and incense and earth.

Feminite du Bois applied to the outer forearm and inner crook of elbow.
Parfum Sacre applied to the inner wrist.
ahhh........... good for meditation and reflection.

What could be a good name for this combo? The Sacred Feminine, perhaps?
Adding it to my list of combos.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Quarry, mochi227 and rtamara41 - I am beginning to think that we ladies (and lurking men) who love to layer complex scents are a very rare breed.

I do note always layer to 'improve' a scent but rather use my scents like paints with which to create new, wonderfully delightful scent pictures.

I get quite excited when I discover a scent / note which inspires many new combos but it is rather frustrating that I have no one to share or try them with. Sadly, the majority of perfume users (even here on Basenotes and my other home from home, MUA) consider layering complex perfumes together close to sacrilege! The equivalent of giving the Mona Lisa a 'What Not to Wear' & 'Colour Me Beautiful' makeover.

Well, to h*ll with them. Today I have 'truly' discovered fig as a note & it is beautiful! I have many, many new combo's I am planning to try (see my blog) but for New Year's, tonight with my sweetheart, I shall be wearing:

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Some of these discoveries come quite by accident:

A flannel cuff retains yesterday's Wet Garden (Demeter scents last better on clothing than on skin), a wrist carries remnants of last night's Nuits de Noho ... and voila! A new scent combo is born. I've just reapplied both scents--best kept lightly applied and not too close together. They smell better with their scents slightly separated. I picture the vapors rising and twisting together like multi-strand ropes of yarn.

Like Orange Blossom, Wet Garden has got to be one of the most useful layering scents. It adds a natural, life-like quality that puts more dimension into the smelling experience.

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

I like layering. I layer according to my mood. Also my makeup goes with my mood. I have different looks, and different scents. One thing I like about layering is that when someone smells me and they like it, the actual scent remains a secret because they can't detect what it is.

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Quarry, mochi227 and rtamara41 - I am beginning to think that we ladies (and lurking men) who love to layer complex scents are a very rare breed.

I do note always layer to 'improve' a scent but rather use my scents like paints with which to create new, wonderfully delightful scent pictures.

I get quite excited when I discover a scent / note which inspires many new combos but it is rather frustrating that I have no one to share or try them with. Sadly, the majority of perfume users (even here on Basenotes and my other home from home, MUA) consider layering complex perfumes together close to sacrilege! The equivalent of giving the Mona Lisa a 'What Not to Wear' & 'Colour Me Beautiful' makeover.

I watch you layering ladies with awe. "How can they tell what will work?" I haven't really begun layering, aside from using my exquisite new vanilla body lotion under other sugary delights, partly because I'm afraid of ending up with something horrible. Mostly, however, I'm so new at this that I want to get to know these fragrances for themselves first.
To me, fragrance is an art. And art is creativity. I wouldn't give the Mona Lisa herself a makeover but what's wrong with taking that image and playing with it? Musicians do this all the time. You just keep reworking a theme.
So I say: "Layer on, Layerers!"

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

[QUOTE=Quarry]Some of these discoveries come quite by accident:

A flannel cuff retains yesterday's Wet Garden (Demeter scents last better on clothing than on skin), a wrist carries remnants of last night's Nuits de Noho ... and voila! A new scent combo is born. I've just reapplied both scents--best kept lightly applied and not too close together. They smell better with their scents slightly separated. I picture the vapors rising and twisting together like multi-strand ropes of yarn.
QUOTE]

moondeva, I feel your pain, I myself admit that I have had self doubts since crossing the line with you, my fellow layerers....and yet, layer I must and do.
quarry, I relate to this above vignette, especially the analogy to weaving, and twisting ropes of yarn. So true. Layering is perhaps a mechanism to expand on the non linear experience even more. As with a single fragrance that is non linear when one experiences the evolution of notes, layering does the same, scents in stereo, if you will. I think it is true that layers are best applied on different patches of skin, though my lolita lempicka and black combo - well , they go directly one over the other.
one post script. the weaving analogy reminds me of a fantasy quartet that my daughter loves, by Tamora Pierce, called the Circle of Magic. One of the main character weaves strands of silk and light and thereby creates magic. neat story.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: You crazy layering fiends!

Originally Posted by moondeva

Yay! Welcome to the dark side rtamara41 - your view of perfumes will never be the same again!
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moondeva, one couldn't know how prophetic these words would be...alas, have I lost my mind entirely? I ask myself as I sit enshrouded in a fragrant aura of bliss...
from my belly steam is rising scented of montale's velvet flowers. not sure why it is named thus, since it is a searing scent on me, bewitching...i have not even bothered to check its composition... I assume there are flowers in here, duh - which kind? maybe tuberose? I wonder, but know not for certain.
If tuberose is criminelle as i have heard it described here, then it could very well be in this creation of montale...bewitching, I repeat.
on my wrists and forearms rest the warm sultry haze of ambre sultan....yeow!!!!! I can hardly stand myself!! I am in LOVE!!!WOOOO!!!!!!

I doubt I could venture out of the house this way, but I ain't got no plans anyhow...all the menfolk are watching the sugarbowl...me and my sniffies are delightfully alone.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189